Admittedly, the prospects were not bright for the NRHEG High School baseball team in its season opener.
The Panthers, coming off a four-win season and led by their third head coach in three years, traveled to Faribault Monday, April 6 to face Bethlehem Academy, one of the favorites to win the Gopher Conference championship this spring, and came home with a 5-4 win in Drew Paukert’s varsity coaching debut.
“Overall, the team played well,” said Paukert. We were able to make the plays when we needed to.”
A big play came in the top of the fourth inning, when Panther senior Dakota Thiele stole home with two outs.
John Hubly, a junior, came up with a big hit in the sixth, doubling off the fence to score Matt Jensen with what would
become the difference in the game. For the night, Hubly finished 2-for-3 with one RBI. Thiele was 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, Palmer Peterson 2-for-3, Jensen 1-for-3 with an RBI. Adding one hit apiece were Trevor Tracy, Trai Wicks, Spencer Tollefson, Jet Wayne and Grant Kyllo. Tracy had two stolen bases, Tollefson and Kyllo on each.
The Panthers stranded nine baserunners.
Jensen, a senior, went the distance on the mound for NRHEG, allowing four earned runs on six hits through seven innings. He struck out eight and walked seven. The Panthers committed one error.
The Panthers scored one earned run off losing pitcher Collin Hanson, who gave up nine hits while striking out eight and walking two.
The Panthers were rained out Thursday and Friday of last week. After hosting WEM Monday, April 13, they entertain Maple River Thursday, April 16 at 5 p.m. They’re scheduled to play Monday, April 20 at 5 p.m. at Medford and Tuesday, April 21 at 5 p.m. at home against Zumbrota-Mazeppa.
